By MWAPE MWENYA
GOVERNMENT has warned of punitive measures against male teachers who are fond of having sex with school girls and impregnating them.
Minister of Gender and Child Development Inonge Wina said in an interview that Government has introduced a new law that will penalise male teachers who sexually-abuse school girls.
Ms Wina said male teachers must regard all school girls as their daughters or sisters and not their sex partners or wives.
â€œGovernment will no longer condone such behaviours from teachers. Reports of teachers abusing girls are so disturbing and we will ensure that such teachers will not be allowed to teach. Itâ€™s a great pity that someone has worked hard to be a teacher but just loses his practise over sex with a young girl,â€ Ms Wina said.
She said a man who sleeps with young girls is not a patriot and cannot be a role model for youths in society.
Ms Wina said men should allow girls to grow into responsible citizens through good education and not expose them to illicit activities such as sex.
Meanwhile the minister has also advised female teachers to act as role models for young girls by exhibiting good qualities that would entice girls to grow up like them.
She said female teachers should also give young girls platform for them to open up about male teachers who make sexual advances towards them.
This week, a 13 year old grade seven pupil at Konkola Lower Primary school in Mazabuka was allegedly defiled by her deputy head teacher.
Southern Province commissioner of police Mary Chikwanda said the teacher allegedly defiled the minor at his house on July 25 and 26 this year and gave her undisclosed amount of money so that she does not reveal the defilement to her parents.